Adding the best weightlifting belt to your fitness arsenal can significantly elevate your training sessions. We firmly believe that a reliable belt can be the key to surpassing your personal bests, especially during demanding lower body and back exercises.
A notable study conducted by Lander et al. demonstrated the positive impact of weightlifting with a belt on squat performance and speed, thus showing the power of spinal stabilisation while wearing a belt during exercise.
However, not all belts are created equal. To effectively support your core while lifting heavy weights, you need something that is sturdy, durable, and provides ample support during some of the best lower body and back exercises around. Also, weightlifting belts come in various sizes, shapes, and materials, such as this nylon Schiek Sports Model 3004. So, to cater to different preferences, we have compiled a selection of diverse styles for you to consider.
Furthermore, we have addressed some frequently asked questions about weightlifting belts to help you determine the most suitable belt for your fitness regimen. Now, with all that covered, let's get into our list...
Best weightlifting belts
- Iron Bull Strength Powerlifting Belt - a great leather option
- Inzer Forever Lever Belt - top lever-close belt
- Eleiko Weightlifting Leather Belt - best Olympic-standard choice
- Harbinger Weightlifting Belt - an excellent budget contender
- Element 26 Self-Locking Weight Lifting Belt - a top pick for CrossFit
- Schiek Sports Model 3004 - a great lightweight belt
- Rogue Ohio Lifting Belt - a superb option for heavy-lifting
1. Iron Bull Strength Powerlifting Belt
Best leather weightlifting belt
Material: Leather
Closure Type: Double Prong
Get your gym shoes ready because this Iron Bull Strength belt should satisfy all your weightlifting needs, regardless of your experience level, thanks to its sturdy design and secure lock-in.
The belt is actually made from a competition-approved 10mm thick suede leather, designed to deliver a significant amount of support to your lower back whilst also being incredibly durable
What we like most about this belt though is its double-pronged closure system. This lock-in method has been designed to be immensely strong, thus giving you more confidence when attempting to break personal bests.
On the whole, we feel there's a lot to like about this belt, especially as it shouldn't break the bank with its price tag either.
- Read More: Best weight benches
2. Inzer Forever Lever Belt
Best lever weightlifting belt
Material: Leather
Closure Type: Lever Buckle
Inzer stands as a prominent name when it comes to top-tier weightlifting belts, particularly within the powerlifting community. It should come as no surprise then that we have chosen to feature their exceptional Forever Belt on our list.
Constructed from high-quality leather, it is designed to be a durable and long-lasting companion for all your weightlifting endeavours. The incorporation of a lever buckle not only enhances its durability but also makes it a breeze to fasten and unfasten between your sets. Moreover, the belt is fortified with high-density nylon stitching, ensuring superior strength and resistance to corrosion.
Furthermore, the belt's 10mm thickness renders it suitable for both seasoned competitors and newcomers to the weightlifting arena. Even those unaccustomed to wearing heavier belts will find the Forever Belt comfortable and supportive, thanks to its lightweight stitching, as mentioned earlier, thus making it a well-rounded lever option for all experience levels.
- Read More: Best barbells
3. Eleiko Weightlifting Leather Belt
Best Olympic weightlifting belt
Material: Leather
Closure Type: Buckle, Double Hook, and Loop
Eleiko, a renowned Swedish company primarily recognised for its barbells and weight plates, also specialises in crafting supportive gear for Olympic weightlifting, such as this Weightlifting Leather Belt.
In line with many top-tier weightlifting belts, it is constructed from a single strip of leather, delivering the essential rigidity and support necessary for tackling demanding Olympic-style lifts. The belt features a generously wide 4-inch (10cm) back section too, combining support with a remarkable degree of comfort, while gracefully tapering down to a more slender front with a secure belt buckle.
Crafted from leather, it offers exceptional durability, complemented by robust stitching encircling the outside, ensuring long-lasting resilience even under heavy load conditions. The belt's longevity is further improved by its closure mechanism. Instead of a single hook, it boasts two hooks, significantly elevating security during weightlifting and prolonging the belt's overall lifespan.
- Read More: Best power cages
4. Harbinger Weightlifting Belt
Best budget weightlifting belt
Material: Leather
Closure Type: Dual Prong
When it comes to powerlifting, you need something strong, durable, and capable of withstanding huge amounts of pressure as you load up the plates on your barbell. Thankfully, this Harbinger belt looks like it ticks all these boxes and more, all for a relatively inexpensive price tag.
The belt is made from genuine stiff leather and features a dual-prong lock-in system which has been designed for a tight and secure fit. Additionally, at 4" thick, the belt should help maximise your back and core stability, particularly during heavy lifts.
It's also worth noting that the Harbinger belt comes with foam padding and a suede lining for added comfort, thus making it well worth considering if you're after a top weightlifting belt for less.
- Read More: Best weightlifting belts under 100
5. Element 26 Self-Locking Weightlifting Belt
Best weightlifting belt for CrossFit
Material: Nylon
Closure Type: Self-Locking Buckle
This nylon belt comes with a self-locking closure mechanism for quick release, meaning this belt would be highly ideal for a CrossFit enthusiast.
Moreover, its material means the belt is more flexible which is beneficial for more functional training, but it does not compromise support during Olympic-style movements. Also, despite being nylon, it is said to withstand the test of time, thus making a great investment long-term.
We'd say this belt would certainly suit both male and female lifters looking for a more versatile weightlifting belt for CrossFit. Check out our list of the best shoes for CrossFit to accompany this bit of kit.
- Read More: Best squat racks
6. Schiek Sports Model 3004
Best lightweight weightlifting belt
Material: Nylon
Closure Type: Hook and Loop
The Schiek Sports Model 3004 looks to be a great pick if you're searching for a lightweight, fabric belt to support your lifts, which may be particularly beneficial if you're new to the gym.
The belt boasts an ergonomic design, with the patented cone shape being designed to support the downward angle of your lower back. Additionally, you get extra layers of neoprene-coated nylon for added support during heavy lifts, giving you peace of mind when going for new personal bests.
Ultimately, if you're searching for something lighter than leather, then we believe this Schiek Sports Model could be the one for you.
- Read More: Best adjustable dumbbells
7. Rogue Ohio Lifting Belt
Best weightlifting belt for heavy lifts
Material: Leather
Closure Type: Buckle
The Rogue Ohio Lifting Belt looks to be one of the best for lifting heavy weights as part of either a powerlifting or strength training programme.
What we like about it, in particular, is that it is made from premium, 10mm thick leather which, Rogue boasts, offers firm, consistent support to ease the stress on your lower back. Furthermore, you get a single-buckle closure system that has been designed for quick and easy adjustments pre and post-lift. It's also worth noting it's available in 5 sizes, so there should be a size in there to suit anyone.
Overall, an excellent pick for lifting heavy weights.
- Read More: Best multi-gyms under 500
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you are a beginner you probably have tons of questions about weightlifting belts, but we're here to clear up some of the more frequently asked queries.
What does a weightlifting belt do?
Weightlifting belts are designed to improve spinal stabilisation, which should help protect your lower back during core exercises such as squats and deadlifts.
Wearing a belt may also help you break past your 'sticking point' faster when squatting and deadlifting along whilst also improving your overall bar speed. This is supported by a study by Fong et al. who demonstrated that participants' time to complete a deadlift, along with their form, improved wearing whilst wearing a weightlifting belt and straps.
According to Mayo Clinic, a weightlifting belt can also help you increase and maintain abdominal pressure to further improve spinal stabilisation. This is because your stomach has something to press against, thus creating a more rigid core.
When should you wear a weightlifting belt?
Given their purpose, weightlifting belts are recommended when lifting heavy weights, particularly during squats, deadlifts, and overhead presses to support your lower back.
A good rule of thumb to follow is you should consider wearing a belt when you're squatting or deadlifting anything above 60% of your one-rep max.
There are also several benefits to wearing a belt during heavier sets; for example, it's estimated that a well-trained belt user can move between 5-15% more weight, thus making it a handy tool for progressive overload.
However, a belt isn't necessary during movements that require less spinal stabilisation and lower back strength, for example, bench press and dumbbell curls, so keep that in mind while training.
belt considered "cheating"?
Simply put, no, using a weightlifting belt isn't cheating as they're allowed in most lifting competitions, and should be a useful tool for protecting your lower back and avoiding injury.
The key is not to become over-reliant on using a weightlifting belt by incorporating some days where you don't use one for additional brace support.
Having said that, we'd recommend wearing one when going for your personal bests to help you complete the movement successfully.
Are leather or fabric weightlifting belts better?
Generally speaking, leather weightlifting belts are strong, durable, and rigid, but can also be quite heavy and uncomfortable to wear in comparison to fabric belts, especially if you're just starting your fitness journey.
With that being said though, their added stiffness can be more beneficial when attempting extremely heavy lifts as the leather provides a solid surface to press against for added spinal stabilisation.
Fabric belts tend to be softer and more flexible and, therefore, more comfortable, but this can sometimes mean they're a little less supportive during heavier lifts.
Ultimately, which is better will come down to personal preference and the intended use.
For example, if your favourite way to work out is by completing fast-paced, high-intensity sets, then you may find a fabric belt to be more beneficial as the added flexibility should suit more active exercise.
However, if you're a keen powerlifter, then you may prefer a leather bit of kit for the added stiffness and support during the key moments of your heavy sessions.
Does wearing a weightlifting belt weaken your core?
A common misconception is that using a weightlifting belt will mean you won't need to engage your core as much whilst lifting, thus weakening it in the process.
This is not the case. In fact, wearing a belt can increase spinal stability and stiffness by supporting your core as you 'brace' and push your abdominal muscles into the belt itself.
With that being said though, it's recommended you incorporate some training without a belt to ensure you develop your core muscle strength naturally without additional support.
How tight should a weightlifting belt be?
A weightlifting belt should be worn snugly around the waist, but not so tight that it restricts breathing or causes discomfort. However, your belt should fit firmly enough to provide support and stability for the core muscles.
To ensure a proper fit, first position the belt around your waist, then tighten it with the buckle to the point where you can just fit your fingers between your belt and your body. This should provide a snug and supportive fit once you take your breath in and brace to lift.
Always remember though that a weightlifting belt is not a substitute for good technique and proper training. It should be used as a tool to enhance your performance and reduce the risk of injury during heavy lifting.
How thick should a weightlifting belt be?
As previously touched on, competition-approved belts come with a 10mm thickness; however, there are several pros and cons for going either up or down a size. For example, a 6.5mm belt should be more flexible which, in turn, can allow for greater mobility and range of motion during lifting.
The downside here is the thinner material may not provide as much support which could increase the risk of injury from repeated heavy lifts.
Going up to a 13mm belt is almost the exact inverse of a 6.5mm bit of kit. You will likely feel incredibly supported, especially from a leather belt, however, it can be uncomfortable to wear as there's less room for your torso.
A 10mm belt sits comfortably in the middle, providing a steady compromise to both sides, which is why it's one of the most commonly used thicknesses.
What size weightlifting belt do you need?
The best way to know what size weightlifting belt you need is to measure around your core, with the tape covering your belly button fairly tightly. However, if you already own a belt and looking to pick up another one, then you may find it easier to simply measure your previous belt to give a good indication as to what size you need.
Explore new topics and discover content that's right for you!